circulate

verb

cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

circulated; circulating

intransitive verb

1

: to move in a circle, circuit, or orbit

especially : to follow a course that returns to the starting point

blood circulates through the body

2

: to pass from person to person or place to place: such as

a

: to flow without obstruction

b

: to become well-known or widespread

rumors circulated through the town

c

: to go from group to group at a social gathering

d

: to come into the hands of readers

specifically : to become sold or distributed

transitive verb

: to cause to circulate

circulatable

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tə-bəl 

adjective

circulative

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

circulator

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of circulate

• disseminate
• propagate
• spread

Examples of circulate in a Sentence

Blood circulates through the body.

Steam circulates in the pipes.

A pump circulates the water through the filter.

Rumors are circulating around town.

The report circulated among the students.

Stories were circulated about mismanagement.

He is circulating a petition asking for a new election.

She circulated among her guests.

Recent Examples on the Web

The $438 billion Gallup figure circulates primarily as a workforce engagement headline. — Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

As news of his death circulated online, celebrities and fans alike mourned Pastore’s loss on social media. — Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026

In New Jersey, Uber lobbyists have circulated legislation that would require human drivers to carry out 85% of all rideshare work on all platforms offering robotaxi services over the next three years. — Paxton Honerkamp, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

The au naturel prix-fixes ignited controversy the moment the restaurant’s flyer started circulating on social media in late June, with most chatter ranging from joking to serious, bawdy to scandalized. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin circulatus, past participle of circulare, from circulus

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for circulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

circulate

verb

cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

circulated; circulating

1

: to move or cause to move in a circle or course

especially : to follow a course that returns to the starting point

blood circulates through the body

2

: to pass or be passed from person to person or place to place

circulate a rumor

circulative

-ˌlāt-iv 

adjective

circulator

-ˌlāt-ər 

noun

Medical Definition

circulate

intransitive verb

cir·​cu·​late ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

circulated; circulating

: to flow or be propelled naturally through a closed system of channels (as blood vessels)

blood circulates through the body